WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement on his vote opposing the nomination of U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin to be the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
“The Trump Administration and Secretary Kristi Noem’s volatile leadership at the Department of Homeland Security over the past year have completely broken trust with the American people. Now more than ever, we need a Homeland Security Secretary who will work to restore that trust, provide steady leadership to the men and women working across the Department, and ensure the Department returns focus to all of its critical national security missions.
“I do not believe that Senator Mullin is the right person for the job in this challenging time. During his confirmation process, he has not been transparent about basic details of his personal background, which calls into question whether Congress and the public will be able to trust what he says in a crisis situation.
“He also lacks an understanding of many of the Department’s critical missions, including cybersecurity and counterterrorism – two missions that are increasingly important as threats rise due to the President’s war in Iran. In his hearing, Senator Mullin did not demonstrate a clear awareness of the challenges facing the Department, such as the Administration’s unwise cuts to funding and personnel in key areas, or how the chaos of the Administration’s prior actions has harmed communities across the country. He did not appear ready to make any significant changes to right the ship at the Department.
“Finally, at a time when political violence is rising, I do not believe that he has the right temperament to lead the Department. He has demonstrated a pattern of being quick to anger and rushing to judgment before getting the facts. This only adds fuel to the fire in an emergency. His eagerness to condone violence raises serious concerns about the critical example he will be setting for the Department’s personnel – and for the country – if he is confirmed.”
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